U.S. patent number 6,544,363 [Application Number 09/702,120] was granted by the patent office on 2003-04-08 for non-toxic, heavy-metal-free shotshell primer mix.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Federal Cartridge Company. Invention is credited to Jack A. Erickson.
United States Patent |
6,544,363 |
Erickson |
April 8, 2003 |
Non-toxic, heavy-metal-free shotshell primer mix
Abstract
A non-toxic heavy-metal-free priming mix and a method of forming
same, designed especially for industrial shotshells and other
shotshells having abnormally heavy charges of propellant in an
effort to qualify for heavy duty assignments such as the need to
break up cement which has set up within a cement kiln and impedes
the operation of the kiln. The mix is characterized by the
inclusion of a secondary highly shock-sensitive explosive, PETN, in
unusually large amounts such as 13-17% by weight of the mix as well
as equally large amounts of powdered aluminum, as a fuel. This
combination, supported by potassium nitrate and ferric oxide as
primary and secondary oxidizers, respectively, proves to be highly
effective. Each of the components, namely DDNP, PETN, tetracene,
glass, powdered aluminum, potassium nitrate, ferric oxide, and gum
tragacanth is non-toxic and heavy-metal-free. The unusual
combination of PETN and powdered aluminum as components, in the
unusually large percentages thereof, generate unusual quantities of
energy which makes a shotshell loaded with same, inherently
effective in adequately firing unusually heavy loads (slugs), which
will accomplish such difficult tasks effectively.
Inventors: |
Erickson; Jack A. (Andover,
MN) |
Assignee: |
Federal Cartridge Company
(Anoka, MN)
|
Family
ID: |
24819940 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/702,120 |
Filed: |
October 30, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
149/38; 149/43;
149/61; 149/62; 149/63 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C06C
7/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
C06C
7/00 (20060101); C06B 033/08 (); C06B 033/04 ();
C06B 031/02 (); C06B 031/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;149/37,38,43,61,62,63 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Jordan; Charles T.
Assistant Examiner: Felton; Aileen B.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Schroeder & Seigfreid, P.A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A non-toxic heavy-metal-free primer mix suitable for effective
use in heavy-load shotshells comprising: (a) a percussion-sensitive
organic primary explosive consisting of DDNP in an amount of 22-30%
by weight; (b) tetracene in an amount of 3-5% by weight; (c)
powdered aluminum in an amount of 13-17% by weight; (d) PETN, a
secondary highly shock-sensitive organic explosive, in an amount of
13-17% by weight; (e) fine glass in an amount of 8-12% by weight;
(f) a primary oxidizer in the form of potassium nitrate in an
amount of about 15-19% by weight; and (g) a secondary oxidizer in
the form of ferric oxide in an amount of about 8-12% by weight.
2. The primer mix defined in claim 1, wherein the preferred amount
of PETN is about 15% by weight.
3. The primer mix defined in claim 1, wherein the preferred amount
of powdered aluminum is about 15% by weight.
4. The primer mix defined in claim 1, wherein the preferred amount
of powdered aluminum and PETN is about 15% by weight for each.
5. The primer mix defined in claim 1, wherein the preferred amount
of DDNP is about 26% by weight.
6. The primer mix defined in claim 1, wherein the preferred amount
of tetracene is about 4% by weight.
7. The primer mix defined in claim 1, wherein the preferred amount
of fine glass is about 10% by weight.
8. The primer mix defined in claim 1, wherein the preferred amount
of potassium nitrate is about 19% by weight.
9. The primer mix defined in claim 1, wherein the preferred amount
of ferric oxide is about 10% by weight.
10. The primer mix defined in claim 1, and gum tragacanth in an
amount of about 1% by weight.
11. A non-toxic heavy-metal-free priming mix suitable for effective
use in heavy-propellant-charge shotshells comprising: (a) a
percussion-sensitive organic primary explosive in an amount of
about 22-30% by weight of the mix; (b) a sensitizer for said
explosive in an amount of about 3-5% by weight of the mix; (c) a
non-toxic metallic fuel in the form of powdered aluminum in an
amount of about 13-17% by weight of the mix; (d) non-toxic
oxidizers in amounts of about 23-31% by weight of the mix; (e) a
secondary highly shock-sensitive organic explosive in an amount of
about 13-17% by weight of the mix; and (f) a frictionator in the
form of fine glass in an amount of about 8-12% by weight of the
mix.
12. The priming mix defined in claim 11, wherein said secondary
explosive constitutes about 15% by weight of the priming mix.
13. The priming mix defined in claim 11, wherein said powdered
aluminum amounts to about 15% by weight of the priming mix.
14. The priming mix defined in claim 11, wherein said primary
explosive constitutes about 26% by weight of the priming mix.
15. The priming mix defined in claim 11, wherein said oxidizers
preferably consist of about 19% by weight of potassium nitrate and
about 10% by weight of ferric oxide.
16. The priming mix defined in claim 11, wherein said frictionator
consists of fine glass in an amount of about 10% by weight of the
mix.
17. The priming mix defined in claim 11, wherein said sensitizer is
preferably comprised of tetracene in an amount of about 4% by
weight of the mix.
18. A non-toxic heavy-metal-free priming mix suitable for effective
use in heavy-propellant-charge shotshells, comprising: (a) a
percussion-sensitive organic primary explosive; (b) a chemical
sensitizer for initiating said explosive; (c) a non-toxic metallic
fuel, in the form of powdered aluminum in an amount of about 13-17%
by weight of the mix; (d) non-toxic oxidizers in amounts of about
23-31% by weight; (e) a secondary highly shock-sensitive organic
explosive in an amount of about 13-17% by weight of the mix; and
(f) a frictionator in an amount of about 8-12% by weight of the mix
for mechanically activating the explosives.
19. The priming mix defined in claim 18, and gum tragacanth in the
amount of about 0.25-1.25% by weight of the mix.
20. The priming mix defined in claim 18, wherein the amount of
powdered aluminum is about 15% by weight of the mix.
21. The priming mix defined in claim 18, wherein the amount of said
secondary explosive is about 15% by weight of the mix.
22. The priming mix defined in claim 18, wherein said oxidizers
include potassium nitrate in an amount of about 15-19% by weight of
the mix.
23. A non-toxic heavy-metal-free priming mix suitable for effective
use in heavy-propellant-charge shotshells, comprising: (a) a
percussion-sensitive organic primary explosive in an amount of
about 22-30% by weight of the mix; (b) a sensitizer for initiating
said explosive; (c) powdered aluminum in an amount of about 13-17%
by weight of the mix; (d) a secondary highly shock-sensitive
organic explosive in an amount of 13-17% by weight of the mix; (e)
a frictionator for activating said explosives; and (f) oxidizing
agents in amounts adequate to provide the oxygen needed to
adequately support the burning of said aluminum and said
explosives.
24. The priming mix defined in claim 23, wherein the amount of said
aluminum is about 15% by weight of the mix.
25. The priming mix defined in claim 23, wherein the amount of said
secondary explosive is about 15% by weight of the mix.
26. A non-toxic heavy-metal-free priming mix suitable for effective
use in heavy-propellant-charge shotshells, comprising: (a) a
percussion-sensitive organic primary explosive; (b) a sensitizer
for initiating said explosive; (c) a secondary highly
shock-sensitive organic explosive in an amount equal in weight to
about one-half (1/2) of the weight of said primary explosive. (d)
powdered aluminum in an amount about equal in weight to the weight
of said secondary organic explosive; (e) a frictionator in the form
of fine glass for activating said explosives; and (f) oxidizing
agents in adequate amounts to provide the oxygen needed to
adequately support the burning of said aluminum and said
explosives.
27. The priming mix defined in claim 26, wherein the weight of said
secondary explosive is slightly greater than one-half (1/2) the
weight of said primary explosive.
28. A non-toxic heavy-metal-free priming mix suitable for effective
use in heavy-propellant-charge shotshells, comprising: (a) a
percussion-sensitive organic primary explosive in an amount of
about 22-30% by weight of the mix; (b) a secondary highly
shock-sensitive organic explosive in an amount of about 13-17% by
weight of the mix; (c) a sensitizer for initiating said explosives;
(d) a fuel for adequately supporting the burn of the propellant of
the shotshell and of said explosives; (e) a frictionator for
activating said explosives; and (f) oxidizing agents in adequate
amounts to provide the oxygen needed to adequately support the
burning of said fuel and said explosives.
29. The priming mix defined in claim 28, wherein said fuel
constitutes about 13-17% by weight of the mix.
30. A non-toxic heavy-metal-free priming mix suitable for
effectiveness in heavy-propellant-charge shotshells, comprising:
(a) a percussion-sensitive organic primary explosive in an amount
appropriate for the amount of propellant to be used in the
shotshell; (b) a sensitizer for initiating said explosive; (c) a
secondary highly shock-sensitive organic explosive in an amount of
about 13-17% by weight of the mix; (d) powdered aluminum in an
amount constituting about 13-17% by weight of the mix; (e) a
frictionator for activating said explosives; and (f) oxidizing
agents in adequate amounts to provide the oxygen needed to
adequately support the burning of said aluminum and said
explosive.
31. The priming mix defined in claim 30, wherein said primary
explosive constitutes about 26% by weight of the mix.
32. The method of forming a non-toxic heavy-metal-free primer mix
for effective use in heavy-load shotshells which comprises blending
a mixture of: (a) a percussion sensitive organic primary explosive
in an amount of about 22-30% by weight of the mix; (b) a secondary
highly shock-sensitive organic explosive in an amount of about
13-17% by weight of the mix; (c) powdered aluminum in an amount of
about 13-17% by weight of the mix; (d) a sensitizer for said
explosives in an amount of about 3-5% by weight of the mix; (e) a
frictionator in the form of fine glass in an amount of about 8-12%
by weight of the mix; and (f) non-toxic oxidizers in amounts of
about 23-31% by weight of the mix.
33. The method of forming a non-toxic heavy-metal-free primer mix
for effective use in heavy-load shotshells which comprises blending
a mixture of: (a) a percussion sensitive organic primary explosive;
(b) a secondary highly shock-sensitive organic explosive in an
amount of about one-half (1/2) by weight of the amount of the
primary explosive: (c) powdered aluminum in an amount about equal
by weight to that of the secondary explosive; (d) a sensitizer for
the explosives; (e) non-toxic oxidizers in amounts of about 23-31%
by weight of the mix; and (f) a frictionator.
34. The method defined in claim 33, in which the primary explosive
is DDNP.
35. The method defined in claim 33, in which the secondary
explosive is PETN.
36. The method defined in claim 33, in which the sensitizer is
tetracene.
37. The method defined in claim 33, in which the oxidizers are
potassium nitrate and ferric oxide.
38. The method defined in claim 33, in which the frictionator is
fine glass.
39. The method defined in claim 33, in which the oxidizers are
15-19% by weight potassium nitrate and 8-12% by weight ferric
oxide.
40. A non-toxic heavy-metal-free priming mix suitable for
effectiveness in heavy-propellant-charge shotshells, comprising:
(a) a percussion sensitive organic primary explosive in an amount
appropriate for burning the amount of propellant to be used in the
shotshell; (b) a sensitizer for initiating said explosive; (c) a
secondary highly-sensitive organic explosive in an amount of about
1/2 by weight of the primary explosive; (d) powdered aluminum in an
amount about equal to that of said secondary explosive; (e) a
frictionator for activating said explosives; and (f) oxidizing
agents in adequate amounts to provide the oxygen needed to
adequately support the burning of said aluminum and said
explosives.
41. A non-toxic heavy-metal-free priming mix suitable for
effectiveness in heavy-propellant-charge shotshells, comprising:
(a) a percussion-sensitive organic primary explosive in an amount
appropriate for having the amount of propellant to be used in the
shotshell; (b) a sensitizer for initiating said explosive; (c) a
secondary highly-shock sensitive organic explosive in an amount of
about 58% by weight of the amount of said primary explosive; (d)
powdered aluminum in an amount about equal by weight to the weight
of said secondary explosive; (e) a frictionator for activating said
explosives; and (f) oxidizing agents in adequate amounts to provide
the oxygen needed to adequately support the burning of said
aluminum and said explosives.
42. The priming mix defined in claim 41, wherein the amount of said
secondary explosive is slightly in excess of 1/2 the weight of said
primary explosive.
43. The priming mix defined in claim 41, wherein said secondary
explosive is comprised of PETN.
44. The priming mix defined in claim 41, wherein said frictionator
consists of fine glass.
45. The priming mix defined in claim 41, wherein said sensitizer
consists of tetracene.
46. The priming mix defined in claim 41, wherein said oxidizing
agents are comprised of potassium nitrate and ferric oxide.
47. The priming mix defined in claim 41, wherein potassium nitrate
is a primary oxidizer in the mix.
48. The priming mix defined in claim 41, wherein ferric oxide is a
secondary oxidizing agent in the mix.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various industrial plants present unique problems against
continuous operation as a consequence of objectionable build-up of
materials within the confined interiors of the manufacturing
premises. For example, in the operation of cement kilns,
objectionable cement stalactite-like formations build up within the
interior of the kiln. Operators of such kilns resort to the use of
8-gauge shotgun slugs, which are unusually heavy loads, to dislodge
such formations. Such heavy loads require the use of unusually
large quantities of propellant in the shotshell. Such unusually
large quantities of propellant, in turn, require increased primer
ignition capability.
For many years, small arms ammunition primers have been made by
using a heavy metal organic explosive as the main explosive
component, with a heavy metal oxidizer and fuel. However, since
1985, there has been a growing interest in heavy-metal-free primers
for environmental and personal health reasons.
Several centerfire and rimfire primer mix formulations that are
heavy-metal-free and toxic metal free have been patented. However,
there have not been any heavy-metal and toxic metal free primer
mixes designed especially for shotshells. This may be because
shotguns are normally fired out of doors and not used for indoor
range shooting and hence there has not been a demand for such a
product. In any event, I am not aware of any heavy-metal-free
primer mix for shotshells.
It is noteworthy that a shotshell primer requires much more energy
as propellant-igniting ability than a centerfire rifle or pistol
primer, especially for heavy 31/2" 12 gauge, 10 gauge and 8 gauge
loads.
It is common practice today, however, to utilize antimony sulfide
as the fuel, and barium nitrate as the oxidizer, in the priming mix
needed to adequately burn the propellant. While these materials
perform adequately to dislodge the objectionable accumulations of
cement, etc., they produce toxic exhaust vapors which are highly
objectionable. The invention herein is directed toward obviating
the presence of such toxic vapors. To the best of my knowledge, no
one has heretofore designed a non-toxic, heavy-metal-free primer
mix for heavily loaded shotshells.
My new primer mix is both non-toxic and heavy-metal-free and is
equally adequate (as compare to the above toxic primer) in
supporting the burn of the increased volumes of propellant. Since
it does not include any of the various lead, barium, or antimony
compounds, my new primer mix is substantially more preferable over
that in common use today.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
My new non-toxic heavy-metal-free primer mix is designed for
effective use in heavy-load shotshells in which the slug (load) is
unusually heavy, because the work which it will be called upon to
do is unusually difficult.
The method of blending the components of the above mix and their
specific amounts are set forth in detail hereinafter. The mix is
characterized by the use of a percussion-sensitive organic primary
explosive in combination with a secondary explosive such as highly
shock sensitive PETN and powdered aluminum, the latter two in about
equal amounts which are substantially greater than those ordinarily
utilized in primers. Tetracene is used as a sensitizer, fine glass
as a frictionator, and potassium nitrate and ferric oxide as
oxidizers. The method of blending these components is set forth in
detail hereinafter.
The inventions include the use of DDNP as the primary explosive,
together with about one-half as much by weight of PETN, and
powdered aluminum in an amount by weight about equal to that of the
PETN.
A more detailed description of the components, together with the
ranges of their amounts is comprised of about 22-32% by weight of
DDNP; 3-5% by weight of tetracene; 13-17% by weight of powdered
aluminum; 13-17% by weight of PETN; 8-12% by weight of fine glass;
15-19% by weight of potassium nitrate; 8-12% by weight of ferric
oxide; and about 1% by weight of gum tragacanth.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An example and description of the method of blending the components
of my new primer mix which is non-toxic and heavy-metal-free, and
is suitable for effective use in heavy-load shotshells, can best be
defined as follows:
For a two-pound batch, the following materials are weighed out as
"dry" materials as follows:
Powdered Aluminum 136.20 grams Potassium Nitrate 172.52 grams Fine
Ground Glass 90.80 grams Ferric Oxide 90.80 grams Gum Tragacanth
9.08 grams
The above "dry" materials are blended together until they form a
homogeneous mixture.
Next the "wet" materials are weighed out in the amounts listed
below:
Diazodinitrophenol 236 gm (dry) or 347 gm (wet wt) (DDNP) Tetracene
36.32 gm (dry) or 48.42 gm (wet wt) PETN (pentaerythritol 136.2 gm
(dry) or 197.4 gm (wet wt) tetranitrate)
The above three (3) wet are then blended together until the
individual components cannot be distinguished. Then, the "dry
blend" is added and all are mixed until the priming material again
appears to be completely homogeneous. Water may be added, if the
material is too dry to have the required consistency. The material
is then ready to be charged into individual pellets and assembled
into shotshell primers as desired.
The preferred quantities of the above components are as
follows:
DDNP 26% by weight PETN 15% by weight Powdered Aluminum 15% by
weight Tetracene 4% by weight Fine Ground Glass 10% by weight
Potassium Nitrate 19% by weight Ferric Oxide 10% by weight Gum
Tragacanth 1% by weight
The preferred ranges of amounts by weight of the above components
are:
DDNP 22-30% by weight PETN 13-17% by weight Powdered Aluminum
13-17% by weight Tetracene 3-5% by weight Fine Ground Glass 8-12%
by weight Potassium Nitrate 15-19% by weight Ferric Oxide 8-12% by
weight Gum Tragacanth .25-1.25% by weight
The DDNP functions as the primary explosive, while the PETN
functions as a secondary explosive. The tetracene acts as a
sensitizer of the DDNP. The fine ground glass is the frictionator.
The potassium nitrate is the primary oxidizer and the ferric oxide
is a secondary oxidizer which also is used to slow down the rate of
primer ignition. The gun tragacath functions as a binder.
The fact that, in accordance with the invention, this new primer
mix is both non-toxic and heavy-metal-free makes the mix more
desirable and valuable. It will be seen that this mix is at least
equally as effective in use as the prior art shotshells, which
utilize lead styphanate as the primary explosive.
It will also be noted that the mix employs equal quantities by
weight of PETN and powdered aluminum, and that together these two
components are roughly equal in weight to that of the primary
explosive, DDNP. Note also that the primary oxidizer, namely
potassium nitrate, exceeds in weight the weight of the secondary
oxidizer, and that the weight of the fine ground glass equals that
of the secondary oxidizer, ferric oxide. It should also be noted
that the primary fuel is powdered aluminum, since the powdered form
is most effective as a fuel. Also, the amount of PETN is about 58%
by weight of the amount of the primary explosive, DDNP.
As will be seen from the above, this new mix utilizes unusually
large quantities of PETN and powdered aluminum, in contrast to
prior art mixes which heretofore have used much smaller quantities,
probably because of the highly shock-sensitive qualities of PETN. I
have utilized ferric oxide as a secondary oxidizer to slow down or
dampen the shock-sensitivity of PETN, to thereby permit use of
larger quantities of PETN as a secondary explosive
It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made
in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts
without departing from the scope of the invention which comprises
the matter shown and described herein and set forth in the appended
claims.
* * * * *